Flag Football is a form of football that replaces the tackling of opposing players with the pulling of a flag affixed to players' waists.

Flag football is a tame version of traditional football that involves pulling flags instead of tackling. Played by people of all ages, flag football dates back to the 1940's. Its point system and many of its rules are similar to those of traditional football, making it easy to learn and play. Its lack of contact also makes it an ideal sport for casual participants.

Advance the ball up the field in order to score more points than the opponent.

Flag football is played on a standard-sized football field. Games consist of four 15-minute quarters. Eight players take the field for each team. Play starts with a kick off from a tee. Four of the eight offensive players must be on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. All offensive players are then eligible to receive passes. Players are considered down when their flags are pulled while in possession of the ball. First downs are attained by passing pre-marked 20-yard intervals marked on the field. The scoring and point system is the same as in traditional football.

Flag football was first developed and played on military bases in the 1940's. Civilian recreational leagues followed suit. The game showed up on college campuses in the 1960's and 1970's. The National Touch Football League was established in 1971, as was the first standardized rulebook. The first National Collegiate Flag Football Championship was played in New Orleans in 1979. The game has been held annually ever since.

Flag Belt
Flags
Football

Flag football is a relatively safe sport due to lack of contact. Most injuries are limited to minor bruises, scrapes and strains.

Flag football requires players to possess great speed and agility. These can be improved through lower body weight training and sprinting exercises.

Deflagging - the removal of one or both flags while a player is in possession of the ball

First Down - a gain in field position during a series of downs, permitting the offensive team to attempt another set of downs

Kick Off - kicking of the ball off a tee to begin play

Line of Scrimmage - imaginary line separating teams at the beginning of play

Snap - quick backward movement of the ball from the ground that begins a play

http://www.flagfootball.org/sitefootballhistory.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_football